Terry D. Backens

Terry Dean Backens, devoted husband and father, stepped into the presence of The Lord on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.  He passed away peacefully in his home with his family by his side. Terry was born on February 19, 1947 in Waterloo, Iowa, to Orville and Lucy Backens.  He was a proud farm boy who loved animals and coined the phrase “there’s nothing cuter than a baby pig.”

In 1957, he moved to Marathon, Wisconsin where, at Christian Assembly in Wausau, he met and fell for a pretty blonde girl named Phyllis Held. They married in 1968 and moved to Machesney Park, IL, one year later when he accepted the position of office manager at Sonoco Products in Rockton, IL.  He was a dedicated employee there for 40 years and once calculated that with his daily lunch hour walk along the river, he walked the equivalent to California and back—twice. 

Terry loved Jesus and was a life-long church member where he always enjoyed singing harmony at full volume, which often elicited compliments from those sitting around him and embarrassment from his kids. 

Terry loved anything with a motor. From cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, golf carts, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, three wheelers—over the years he’s owned them all and kept every single one immaculate. He believed that cleanliness was a form of godliness, so rest assured that if you showed up to his house in a dirty car (inside or out), you were being silently judged.  He also had an encyclopedic knowledge of classic cars and could name the year, make, and model of any he saw.  His favorite was always his bright red 64 Corvette Stingray convertible.  He kept those leather seats “Armor Alled” so shiny, it was like sitting on a slip and slide. 

In 1981 Terry and his father-in-law, Art Held, built a cabin at Spencer Lake in Waupaca, WI.  Many priceless summer memories have been made there with friends and family over the last 43 years. 

Terry worked hard and saved harder and was very proud to have put both of his kids through Christian school and college.  He was incredibly excited about his kids’ accomplishments and even once created a “cheat sheet” that he kept in his wallet so he could accurately brag about their degrees and job titles to anyone who would listen. 

Terry’s family was his life and when it came to his kids and grandkids, he and Phyllis were there for every single game and event.  

Once they moved out and had places of their own, his kids had him on speed dial for every single home improvement project—and there were many!  He was always active and even at 75 years old, could still stand on his head and water ski (but not at the same time.)

Terry was friendly and hilarious and most anyone who knew him probably has a funny story to tell. He will be missed terribly by his heartbroken family, but we are comforted by the assurance that we’ll see him again in Heaven someday. Until then, he’ll be up there entertaining the loved ones who have gone before him and singing harmony (at full volume) with the angels. 

Terry is survived by his wife of 57 years, Phyllis (Held); their two children, Justin (Shelley) Backens and Teara (Jason) Rhode both of Rockford, IL; 5 granddaughters, Seara, Madigan, Avalon, Lucy, and Linnea; his three sisters, Peggy (Dave) Bargren, Connie Rozier, and Linda (John) Lanferman; as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Lucy Backens, brother, Larry Backens; twin sister, Sherry Emenecker; and nephew, Kevin Heidt.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 11:00am to 1:00pm in Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory-Mulford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111. Memorial Service will immediately follow at 1:00pm with luncheon immediately following at Sam’s Pizzeria, 6075 E. Riverside Blvd., Rockford, IL 61114.  Instead of flowers, memorials can be made to Spencer Lake Christian Center in Waupaca, WI. 

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